Multiple-plug receptacle



Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

:UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAHAM HERSKOVITZ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T PEEKRLESS LIGHT COM- .'PANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION O F MAINE.

MULTIPLE-PLUG RECEP'IACLE.

Application filed May 2,

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM HERSKO- vrrz, a citizen of the lUnited States, and a resident of New York, Bronx County, and

State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiple- Plug Receptacles, of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and exact descri tion. o

T is invention relates to multiple plug receptacles, and its principal object is to provide a simple, practical and comparatively inexpensive device containing a plurality of plug jacks into whichterminal plugs may be plugged for making electrical contact for conductor cords, and which device,

itself, may be plugged into a wall or floor receptacle of many of the ordinary and well known types. Another object is to reduce the number of parts to a minimum, to simplify the construction and assembling thereof and to otherwise improve thereon. To such ends this invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple n plug receptacle, embodying a simple form "0 of the present invention, a wall receptacley and a push and pull plug cap, showing the parts disconnected; Fig. 2 isa perspective view of the multiple plug receptacle with its case partly broken away; Fig. 3 is a detail, horizontal section through the device; Fig. 4: is a vertical cross section taken `on line 4 4 of Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing a slightly modied forni of the invention.

Referring to said drawing and first to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive which illustrate a simple embodiment of the present invention, the reference character 10, designates I a rectangular case or housing formed of libre or other non-conducting material. Preferably said caseis composed of end wall members 11, 12 and a top, bottom and side Wall member 13. Each end Wall member 11, 12 is formed with a groove 14, which runs parallel with the marginal edge of the member and the ends of the top, bottom and side Wall member 13 lit into said groove. The three members of the case are fastened together by the plug jack units, as will hereinafter appear, The top, bottom and 1924. Serial No. 710,493.

side wall member 13 is made of a relatively thin sheet of insulating material shaped up into rectangular form as shown with its opposite edges 14a, abutting against each other.

In the end wall 11 and top and bottom walls of the case are formed holes a, b, c. through which the Contact pieces of push and pull plug caps are inserted for making electric Vconnection in the receptacle.

Secured to the end wall member 11, as for instance by rivets 15, is a pair of plug jack units 16, constructed and arranged with contactpieces 17 for connection with a Wall receptacle 18 and having a plurality of jacks 19, 20, 21, into which a plurality of push and pull plug caps may be plugged in. A simple form of push and pull lug cap is shown at 22. The construction o the plug jack units 16 will now be described.

Each unit 16, comprises a metal strip 23 which extends lengthwise of the case, and has a bent end portion 24 at one end which is secured to the inner face of the end k,wall member 11, by the rivet" 15. The other end of the strip 23 protrudes out through a hole 25 in the end wall member 12 in the form of a terminal contact piece 17 which may be inserted into the 'jack of the wall receptacle 18. The metal of the strip 23 is upset slightly at the outer face of the end wall member 12 as at 27 and said upset part forms a shoulder that bears against Athe outer face of said member 12, to secure the wall members of the case together.

Approximately midway between the end wall members, a metal tongue 28 is secured to the strip 23 and extends parallel therewithtoward the end wall member 11. Beyond the place of securement of said tongue to the strip 23 the two are bent apart slightly as shown, to leave a slight space therebetween for the reception of a terminal contact piece of a push and pull plug cap. The extreme end portion of the tongue 28 is bent away from the strip as shown to facilitate the' insertion of a terminal contact piece. `The tongue 28 and adjacent portion of the strip 23 form one jack member 19 of the pair which receives the terminal contact pieces of a push and pull lug cap inserted through the holes a, in t e end wall member I1 of the device.

Approximately midway between' the end angles to the strip 23 is a pair of metal strips 29 that extend across the sides of the strip 23 and tongue 28, and form the jacks 20, 21. rIhe strip 23, tongue 28 and tongues 29 are rigidly secured together by a rivet 30. The strips 29 are bent toward each other slightly above and below the strip 23 and tongue 28 so as to grip the push and y pull plug cap terminal contact pieces that are inserted between them through the holes b and c in the top and bottom walls of the case. The extreme end portions of the strips 29 are curved outward slightly to facilitate the insertion of the terminal plug cap contact pieces. p

The two jack units, 16 are spaced apart the proper distance to accommodate the usual terminal contact pieces of push and pull plug caps and to permit the contact pieces 17 to be plugged into a wall receptacle 18. I

In use the device may be plugged into the usual Wall or floor receptacle adapted 2.5 for push and pull plug caps, thereby accommodating said receptacle to several p push and pull plug caps. The metal strips and tongues of the device establish electrical connection between the terminals of the wall receptacles and plug caps that are plugged into the device.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 5, the two plug jack strips 23a are secured respectively to the screw shell 19u and centre contact piece 19b of an electric socket and the tongues l29" arey secured to the strips 23%` The screw shell and plug jacks are contained in a case or shell 10EL of insulating material, and the strips 231 project therefrom whereby the device may` be plugged into a wall receptacle.

In this" form of the invention, the receptacle may serve to hold an electric light bulb, which may be screwed into the screw shell 19*1 or a screw plug may be plugged into it. The ordinary push and pull plug cap may be plugged into the receptacle as in the preferred form.

They device is simple, not likely to get out of order, is comparatively inexpensive, is light, compact and highly eiiicient for the purpose intended.

' claims, to

and desire to secure by wells" assenso made of insulating material, and plug jacks in said housing and secured to one end wall, having contact parts protruding therefrom, said plug jacks having means engaging the other` end wall to solidly close said housing.

2. A multipleplug receptacle comprising a housing havinga side member and end members made of `insulating material, and jack units in said housing and fastened at one end to one member of said. housing, the other end member being arranged to be slipped over said jack units to close the housing, and said jack units having means to lockingly engage the end wall thereon.

3. A multiple plug receptacle co1npris-- contact points, and having means to se- I cure the grooved housing members upon the tubular housing member.

4. A multiple plug receptacle, comprising a case formed of two grooved en d Wall members, and a tubular side wall member seated in the grooves of the end wall member and all composed of insulating material, and a pair of plug jack units, in said case and secured to one end wall thereof,

the other end of the plug jacl( units projecting beyond the other end Wall, and

having shoulders bearing against said other end wall to secure the parts of the case together.

5. A multiple plug receptacle, comprising a multiple part housing made of insulating material, a pair of plug jack units in said housing and secured thereto, and

formed with a plurality of plug jack tongues for the simultaneous reception of a plurality of push and pull plug cap contact pieces, said units being also formell with terminal tongues that project from ilo the housing and are adapted to be plugged into a wall receptacle, and said tongues being formed with -means for securing the several parts of the housing together.

6. In a multiplev plug receptacle, a plug jack unit comprising a strip of metal, a tongue secured thereto and extending parallel therewith to form spaced contact pieces of a plug jack, and a pair of spaced tongues extending at right angles to said strip, one on each side thereof and secured thereto, said pair of tongues forming additional plug jacks.

Chicago, Ill., April 28, 1924.

ABRAHAM nEasKovir/zi 

